Since 2006, Unicef UK has put together an event called Soccer Aid. This charity event occurs every 2 years to raise money to provide safe living conditions for children everywhere. Two teams, “England XI” and “The Rest of the World XI” competed on Sunday, June 5th. Sports, music, television, and film celebrities filled the two teams to bring worldwide attention to the event.
Celebrity Chef, Gordon Ramsay, was on the roster again for the Rest of the World team. However, on May 31, 2016, he posted on social media that due to surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon, he would not be able to participate in the event on Sunday. It seems he had ruptured the Achilles tendon back in 2014 and has had it treated over the past two years with a boot and PRP. The recent surgery was most likely to repair the rupture.
This also means that he again cannot participate in the Ironman 70.3 in Staffordshire on June 12th. He was due to compete in Ironman Wales in September and Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October of that year, but had to pull out due to the severe tear in his Achilles. This year, he would have participated alongside the GTR100 (Gordon and Tana Ramsay Foundation) team to raise funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Caring for your Achilles tendon
Your Achilles tendon is used almost any time you move your foot. It is the tendon along the back of your heel, connecting the muscles in your calf to your heel bone. A tear or complete rupture of the Achilles tendon usually occurs near the bending portion of the ankle above the heel. According to the Mayo Clinic, this area tends to get less blood flow than the rest of the tendon, which may make it more prone to injury and lower its ability to heal.
Achilles ruptures can happen when there is a sudden increase in stress on the tendon. It can also tear if overstretched. Most ruptures happen while playing sports that include jumping, sprinting, or balance. It can also rupture from a fall or if you suddenly step into a hole.
Treatment usually includes surgery to reattach the tear, but it is not the only treatment available. Some can heal just by resting, protecting with a boot, and physical therapy.
If you experience any issues with your Achilles, have it checked out sooner than later to prevent complications or slow healing. Make an appointment with us at our office in Fords, NJ. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Carl Ingrassia, and his team at Fords Foot and Ankle Care will help you find the best solution for your foot and ankle needs, including laser therapy and surgery.